UBC opens the door to talk about Men’s Sheds

Panel discussion will provide details to help improve wellness for local men

What: Building the wellbeing of men in the community: Starting Men’s Sheds in CanadaWho: Panel discussion with Dr. John Oliffe, Professor, School of Nursing, UBC Vancouver; Corey Mackenzie, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba; and Art Post, president of the Okanagan Men’s Shed Association.When: Wednesday, January 28, noon to 1:30 p.m.Where: Room 129, Reichwald Health Sciences Centre, 1088 Discovery Avenue, Okanagan campus

Men’s Sheds is an Australian idea that has gone global.

Men’s Sheds are community-based support groups established to meet the needs of men who have experienced mental health issues, challenges with transition to retirement, or a lack of social interaction. Building on the success of the first Canadian Men’s Shed, established in Winnipeg with funding from the Movember Foundation, the movement to establish sheds in other communities has spread across Canada, including the Okanagan.

The goal, says UBC Okanagan’s Prof. Joan Bottorff, Director of UBC’s Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, is to promote health and wellness of adult men of all ages.

A panel discussion at UBC Okanagan will provide information about Men’s Sheds and how they are starting here in Canada. Panel members include UBC Vancouver’s John Oliffe, Corey Mackenzie, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba and Art Post, president of the Okanagan Men’s Shed Association.

This event takes place Wednesday, January 28, noon to 1:30 p.m in room 129, Reichwald Health Sciences Centre, 1088 Discovery Avenue, Okanagan campus. This panel discussion is free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the general public. To attend in person, via webinar, or teleconference please register at: http://menshed.eventbrite.ca